BHShaman:Hate seeing kids in old and tattered clothes while Mom/Dad sport a smartphone and bunch of new tattoos.

There is worse. Nothing like talking to a new smartphone owner who is totally illiterate and has to spell the words on the screen so you can walk them through setting up their phone. You would think literacy would come before smartphone ownership in life goal priority.

adenosine:BHShaman: Hate seeing kids in old and tattered clothes while Mom/Dad sport a smartphone and bunch of new tattoos.

There is worse. Nothing like talking to a new smartphone owner who is totally illiterate and has to spell the words on the screen so you can walk them through setting up their phone. You would think literacy would come before smartphone ownership in life goal priority.

barefoot in the head:AT&T beats estimates on news that the 99% can still afford shiny new smartphones often have to make a dinkyphone serve as a computer, and it is not wise to be without valuable access in this culture.

are still obsessed with having all the gadgets and toys they see on TV, with complete disregard to what they can afford.

If they weren't buying them all of your apple stocks would be worth squat. Since you all talk like you're a part of the 1%, I'm assuming you have them.

Nope, I have a feature phone. My wife's phone is 8 years old.

Ok. Good for you. I have a trac-fon but am typing this on a galaxy tab. It's pricey, but it is almost invaluable for mobile info. Sometimes people need these little tools to make life easier. Don't begrudge them that.

Seriously? People are going to make a big deal about a $50 a month bill?That's about one days work at low to minimum wage.So you are going to make a fuss about less than 5% of an individual's budget?While it gives you access to phone service and the internet, and getting rid of the smart phone option would only knock it down maybe $20 a month.

If they weren't buying them all of your apple stocks would be worth squat. Since you all talk like you're a part of the 1%, I'm assuming you have them.

Nope, I have a feature phone. My wife's phone is 8 years old.

Ok. Good for you. I have a trac-fon but am typing this on a galaxy tab. It's pricey, but it is almost invaluable for mobile info. Sometimes people need these little tools to make life easier. Don't begrudge them that.

I don't, at all, just responding to your assertion that "you have them".

If they weren't buying them all of your apple stocks would be worth squat. Since you all talk like you're a part of the 1%, I'm assuming you have them.

Nope, I have a feature phone. My wife's phone is 8 years old.

Ok. Good for you. I have a trac-fon but am typing this on a galaxy tab. It's pricey, but it is almost invaluable for mobile info. Sometimes people need these little tools to make life easier. Don't begrudge them that.

That word...I don't think it means what you think it means.

The word you are looking for is "want".

I don't begrudge anyone for having misplaced priorities, but I don't empathize with them when they run out of money either.

Nezorf:Seriously? People are going to make a big deal about a $50 a month bill?That's about one days work at low to minimum wage.So you are going to make a fuss about less than 5% of an individual's budget?While it gives you access to phone service and the internet, and getting rid of the smart phone option would only knock it down maybe $20 a month.

\fridges and microwaves! Oh My!

You crazy. You KNOW these people have phone bills in excess of $100/month.

If they weren't buying them all of your apple stocks would be worth squat. Since you all talk like you're a part of the 1%, I'm assuming you have them.

Nope, I have a feature phone. My wife's phone is 8 years old.

Ok. Good for you. I have a trac-fon but am typing this on a galaxy tab. It's pricey, but it is almost invaluable for mobile info. Sometimes people need these little tools to make life easier. Don't begrudge them that.

That word...I don't think it means what you think it means.

The word you are looking for is "want".

I don't begrudge anyone for having misplaced priorities, but I don't empathize with them when they run out of money either.

And I don't think you understand how a consumer based economy works. Plenty of people make a living selling these phones to them.